Charles heller



(No Model.)

C. HELLER.

TABLE ATTACHMENT.

No. 595,476. Patented Deo. 14,1897.

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. Nrrnn rnfrns OI-IARLS HELLER, OF ANNAPOLIS7 MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN R. STRANGE, OF SAME PLACE.

TABLE ATTACHlVl ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,476, dated December 14., 1897.

Application filed April 8,1897. Serial No. 631,293. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, CHARLES HELLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Annapolis, in thecounty of Anne Arundel and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table Attachments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in table attachments, and has more particularly for its object to provide means whereby the chairs used in connection with a dining-table, writing-table, or the like may be convenien tly and easily stored out of the way beneath the table when not in use.

My invention is especially adapted for use of a portion of a table provided with three of my attachments and shows a chair as held in position by one of such attachments. Fig. 2 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the chair shown folded and stored beneath the table in Figs. l and 2 as it appears when in position for use. Fig. 4 represents a rear elevation of the chair shown in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 represents a side elevation of the chair shown in Figs. 3 and 4, having its back detached from the seat and folded down in position toV allow the chair to be stored beneath the table. Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of the improved socket-plate with the table-leg therein.

In Fig. l, A represents the table-top, A' Ar` represent the legs, and A2 A2 represent the sills or side pieces.

The table-legs are secured in the socketpieces A0, having slotted lugs a0 to receive the sills or side pieces A2. These socket-pieces are preferably made rectangular or square to hold the leg firmly, and the socket for the table is made sloping, so as to receive the leg, which is put in place before the socket-plate is attached to the table. rIhe top of the leg comes Iiushwith the top of the socket-plate, and the whole may be detachably connected lby screws or in any other convenient way.

To the under side of the top A a plurality of brackets B, each having a pair of perforated lugs b b, are attached by means of screws or bolts passing through said lugs and entering the table-top.l Each of these brackets B is braced upon its inner side by means of a leg or brace B', rigidly fixed at one end to said bracket and at the other end provided with a perforated lug b', which is rigidly secured to the underside of the table-top by means of screws, as seen in Figs. l and 2. A frame or arm B2, which is preferably composed of a metallic rod bent to form a pair of legs, as shown in Fig. l, is pivoted at one end in a pair of straps or cleats b2 b2 on the bracket B, the end of each of the legs of this frame being bent at right angles to the leg itself and sprung into the said straps or cleats, as will be obvious from an inspection of Fig. l. The length of this frame B2, and consequently the distance from the side pieces of the table to the point of attachment of the bracket B, should be somewhat greater than the width of the chair-seat from front to back, so that when the chair is folded, as in Fig. 5, it may be suspended upon the arm or frame B2 between the side piece of the table and the bracket B, as shown in Figs. l and 2. In order that this frame B2 may be held in a horizontal position when not in use, and also in order that it may be caused to support the chair, I provide a bent metallic spring-arm IOO be turned down sufficiently to insert or withdraw the chair.

The special form of chair designed by me for use with the above-described table attachment is shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and comprises the following essential elements:

The seat C of the chair C should be comparatively fiat, but may be of any ordinary suitable construction. The back C*2 may also be of any suitable construction, but should have an opening of some sort, such as C0, at or near the top thereof, to allow the passage of the holding arm or frame B2 on the table. This back C2 is hinged to the seat by means of side pieces, such as C3 C3, pivoted to the seat and the back, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, so that the said back may swing downward when released until its top is level with or below the top of the seat, as seen in Fig. 5.

The bottom of the back of the chair is provided with one or more tenons c2, which is adapted to fit into a mortise c in I[he rear of the seat of the chair when the back is raised. The back may be locked in this position, so as to allow the chair to be carried about by the back and used by means of a spring-catch c3 on the lower end of the said back adapted to engage a stud c4 on the rear of the seat, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

lVhen it is desired to fold the chair, it is simply necessary to release this catch c3 from the stud c4, and the back may be disengaged from the seat and swung downward, as above described.

In storing the chair beneath the table the chair is first folded, as shown in Fig. 5, and then the forward edge of the seat is inserted between the top of the table and the outer end of the frame B2. By bearing down slightly upon the chair the frame may be depressed and the chair simultaneously slid inward above the frame B2 until the rear edge of the chair passes the inner side of the side piece A2 of the table, when itis released, and the action of the spring B3 will hold the frame B2 and the chair C firmly up against the under side of the table-top, as shown in Fig. 5. The outer end of the frame B2 will project through the opening in the back of the chair and also slightly beyond the outer side of the side piece A2, so that it may be readily depressed when the chair is t0 be withdrawn.

It will be obvious that I may use simply a coil-spring in place of the bent spring B3, if preferred, especially where light chairs are to be used.

Instead of the spring B3, having arms b, as shown, it will be obvious that two single springs maybe used, one to support each arm of the frame B2.

Although I have described and shown a particular form of chair to be used with my table attachment., I do not wish to limit myself to any particular form of chair, as many forms now in use could be readily adapted to the said attachment without departing from the spirit of my invention.

IfIavingthus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination with a table, of a plurality of depending brackets mounted upon the under side of the top thereof; abent me-v tallic rod pivoted upon each of said brackets; and a bent metallic spring also mounted upon each of said brackets, and pressing said bent rods upward, substantially as described.

2. In a table attachment of the character described, the combination with a metallic bracket, and means for securing said bracket to the under side of the table-top; of a frame pivoted upon said bracket; and a bent metallic spring fixed at one end upon said bracket, and at the opposite end adapted to bear upon said pivoted frame, as and for the purposes described.

3. In a table attachment of the character described, the combination with a bracket provided upon its base with lugs for the passage of screws; a brace fixed upon one side of said bracket; a frame comprising two parallel arms pivoted upon said bracket; and a bent metallic spring fixed at one end upon said bracket, and at the opposite end adapted to bear upon said frame, substantially as and for the purposes described.

i. In a table attachment of the character described, the combination with a bracket provided with means for attaching said bracket to the table, and having a pair of cleats thereon; of a frame comprising a bent metallic rod having two parallel legs pivoted in said cleats; and a spring fixed upon said bracket and adapted to bear upon said legs, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES IIELLER.

lVitnesses:

CHARLEs G. FELDMEYER, JOHN R. STRANGE. 

